Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-01-29
BY JOHN M'ELRoY,
tcoSTrEUED.)
CHAPTER XVII.


Going into the wards one morning Rachel
found that Lieut.. Joseph Pancake had been
brought in suffering from what the surgeon
pronounced TO be 'sfebriie symptoms of a
mild type, from which he will no doubt re
cover in a few days, with rest, quiet and
proper food"
1t is possibly worth while to note the coin
cidence that these symptoms developed with
unexpected suddenness in the midst of earnest
preparations by the Army of the Cumber-
land, for a terrible grapple at Perryvllle with
the Confederate army of the Tennessee.
Pancake recognized Rachel at once, much
10 her embarrassment, for her pride WINGED
at playing the role of nurse before an ae-
quaintance, especially when that acquaint
ance was her fathers hired man, whom she
knew too well 10 esteem highly.
40. Miss Rachel he groaned, as she came
to his cot in response to his earnest call,
I'm 50 glad to see you, for I'm the sickest
man that ever came into this hospital
Nothin' but the best O care,n carry me
through, and know you'll give it to NE for
he sake of old times, and Joseph's face ex-
ressed to his comrades the idea that there
ad BEEN time when his relations with her
I'd been exceedingly tender.
Rachel's face flushed at the inpudent as
mption, but she overcame the temptation
; make snubbing answer, and replied
quietly:
mo, Joseph, you are not so sick as you
think YOU are (She calls him Joseph, au-
dfbly commented some of those near as if
this was a confirmation OF Joes insinuation.l
aThe surgeons say" she continued, that
your symptoms are not at all bad, and that
you'll be up again in few days
20, them doctors always talk that way
They're the f1intfest- hearted set ever seen
IN all my born days. They're always pre-
tending that they don't believe there is
uothin the matter with Teller really be
Heve they'd little liefer nian'd die than
not. They don't seem to take no sort of in
terest in savin' the soldiers that the country
needs so badly
Rachel felt as if it would sweeten much
hard service II she could tell Pancake out
right her opinion, that he was acting very
calfshly; but other counsels prevailed, and
she said encouragingly:
'7You are only discouraged, Joseph-that's
all A few days rest here will restore your
health and your spirits"
tiEo, III never be we'll persisted Joe,
unless l have the best o care; but feel
much better now, since find you here, for
I'm sure You'll take as much interest in NE as
Q sister would
She shuddsred little at the prospect Of
even temporary ssterly relations to the fell
low, but replied guardedly:
"Of course Ill do what can for YOU.
Joseph" and started to move away, but be
caught her dress and whimpered
@Oh, don't go, Miss Rachel; don't 60 and
leave me all alone STAY any way til I'm
fixed somehow comfortable"
u half believe the BOBBY will have hys-
teric, thought Rachel, with curling lip. Is
this the man they praised so for his heroisml
Does all his manhood depend upon his health
Now he hasn't the spirit of sick kitten y
Dreading scene. however, she took her seat
at the head of the cot, and gave some dIree-
tons for its arrangements
Joes symptoms grew worse rapidly. for he
bent al his crafty energies TO that emil Ref
uge in the hospital from the unpleasant con
tiRgencies attending duty in the field was a
good thing, and it became superexcellent
when his condition made him the object OF
the care and sympathy of 50 fine young
lady as Miss Rachel Bond. This be felt was
something ike compensation for all that he
had endured for the country, and he would
get as much Of il as possible HIS mind
busted itself in recalling and initiating the
signs of suffering be had seen in others.
He breathed stertorously, groaned and
sighed immoderately, and even had little fits
of well feigned delirum, in which he bahblsd
Of home and friends and the war, and such
other things as had come within the limited
scope Of bis mental horizon.
Don't leave me, Miss Rachel-don't leave
me, be said, in one Of the simulated par
oxysms, elutching ct the same time, with a
movement singularly well directed for a de
hioGs man. one Of her delicate hands in
his great, coarse and not over clean fingers.
She strove 10 release her fingers quietly but
at this Pancakes paroIrsm became intense.
He chung the tighter 10 her, and kneadei her
fingers in q way that was almost rnaddeninz
Never in all her life had man presumed %
take sueh familiarity with her But her
woInans wit Id not Ssert her. With her
tsengaged hand she fefs Scr and took ont q
large Vfn that fastened BIZ Of lace 70 her
throat, with the desperate intent 70 give her
tdrmentor sly stab that would change the
crrent of his thoughts.
Just at the moment Of carrying this into
effect something caused her 10 look up, and
she saw DR. Densiow standing before her.
With an amused look in his kindly. hazel eyes
She desisted from her purpose and restored
the pin to its place, in obedience to sign
from him, which told her that he thoroughly
understood the case and had a more effective
way Of dealing with II than the thyus of a
pin point
"fm very much afraid this is dangerous
case We have here, Miss Bond he said in a
stage whisper, as if very anxious that the
patient should not 0verhear. "Yes, very
dangerous case"
Joe grew pale, released Rachers band,
turned over On his side and groaued
do you really think 50, DOCTOR sand
Rachel, IN The same tone.
Eyes, Eealty. hs as clear case of de
gussbrts non disputandun as ever saw tI
my HE"
foh, hordis, hev l got al of .shat77 asked
Joe, as he sat Bon upright, With eyes starting
4H Is my unpleasant duty to tel you tina,
you certainly have said the 1o-tor, gravely.
As plainly indGated as ever saw it. Fur
thermore, n Is seriously complicated with fiat
j1stitia rrat ealum, with strong hints of the
presence of In media trtfsimus IBIS"
Great Scottl can / ever get well,n groaned
poor Joe. Racheps stpein was on ner rislbles,
and 10 make her face express only sympathy
and concern.
And, continued the Ienorsetss surgeon,
IN tone Of the ktldliest coinniseration. "in
the alrsencs of she least esprit de corps, and
dTse et deeOrum est pro patria mort feeling
in you It Is apparent that none of your mental
processes are going on properly, winch de
ranges everything
''e'an't be sent home to der whimpeFed
the wretched Joe.
mot in your present condition. / notice, il
addition to what have todd you, that YOU
heart is not right-its action is depraved, sc
to speak" This with a glance at Rachel
which brought the crimson to that damsel;
check.
"Oh, doctor, please try to do something fol
me right off, before get any worse,n pleaded
Joe, with the tears starting in his eyes